The present invention provides a method for advancing a first bidder to a selected rank in an electronic auction. This method includes calculating, in response to actuation of a bid rank advancement function, a new bid for the first bidder, and displaying the new bid to the first bidder. The new bid is calculated by applying a predetermined minimum differential value to a current bid of a second bidder that holds the rank selected by the first bidder. In one embodiment, the rank selected by the first bidder is a rank other than first. The present invention also provides a system and apparatus for advancing a first bidder to a selected rank in an electronic auction.

Claim:

What is claimed is:

1. A method for advancing a first bidder to a desired rank other than first in an electronic auction, comprising: (A) calculating, using a processor, and in response toactuation of a bid rank advancement function by the first bidder, a new bid for the first bidder by applying a predetermined minimum differential value to a current bid of a second bidder that holds the desired rank, which is other than first rank, inthe electronic auction; and (B) displaying the new bid to the bidder.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the bid rank advancement function may only be actuated by a bidder that has previously submitted a bid.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the bid rank advancement function may only be actuated by a bidder that has previously submitted a valid bid.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the valid bid is a bid which surpasses a predetermined threshold.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein actuation of the bid rank advancement function includes selected the desired rank.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said applying the predetermined minimum differential value to the current bid comprises subtracting the predetermined minimum differential value from the current bid.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said applying the predetermined minimum differential value to the current bid comprises adding the predetermined minimum differential value to the current bid.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined minimum differential value is a predetermined percentage of the current bid.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the new bid is automatically submitted to the electronic auction on behalf of the first bidder.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising submitting the new bid to the electronic auction on behalf of the first bidder in response to actuation of a bid submitting function by the first bidder.

11. A method for advancing a first bidder to a desired rank in an electronic auction, comprising: (A) calculating, using a processor, and in response to actuation of a bid rank advancement function by the first bidder, a new bid for the firstbidder by applying a predetermined minimum differential value to a current bid of a second bidder that holds the desired rank in the electronic auction, and (B) displaying the new bid to the bidder; wherein actuation of the bid rank advancement functionby the first bidder includes selecting the desired rank.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the desired rank is a rank other than first.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the new bid is automatically submitted to the electronic auction on behalf of the first bidder.

14. A system for advancing a first bidder to a desired rank in an electronic auction, comprising: a processor configured to: calculate a new bid for a first bidder by applying a predetermined minimum differential value to a current bid of asecond bidder that holds the desired rank in the electronic auction; and cause the display of the new bid to the first bidder; and a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions; wherein actuation of thebid rank advancement function by the first bidder includes selecting the desired rank.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the rank selected by the first bidder is a rank other than first.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a bid submission function which, in response to actuation by the first bidder, submits the new bid to the electronic auction on behalf of the first bidder.

17. A system for advancing a first bidder to a desired rank other than first in an electronic auction, comprising: a processor configured to: calculate a suggested bid value for a first bidder by applying a predetermined minimum differentialvalue to a current bid of a second bidder that holds the desired rank other than first in the electronic auction; and display the new bid to the first bidder; and a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor withinstructions.

18. A computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon which, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: (A) calculate, in response to actuation of a bid rank advancement function by a first bidder, a newbid for the first bidder by applying a predetermined minimum differential value to a current bid of a second bidder that holds a desired rank in an electronic auction, and (B) display the new bid to the first bidder; wherein actuation of the bid rankadvancement function by the first bidder includes selecting the desired rank.

19. A bidding device for facilitating submission of a bid to an electronic auction comprising: a processor; and a graphical user interface through which a first bidder actuates a bid rank advancement function that advances the first bidder toa desired rank other than first in the electronic auction; wherein upon actuation by the first bidder, the bid rank advancement function calculates a new bid for the first bidder by applying a predetermined minimum differential value to a current bid ofa second bidder that holds the desired rank, the desired rank being other than first rank, in the electronic auction, and displays the new bid to the electronic auction on behalf of the first bidder.

20. The device of claim 19, further comprising a user operated input device for actuating the bid rank advancement function coupled to the graphical user interface.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the user operated input device comprises a communications component selected from the group consisting of a keyboard, a screen, a mouse, and combinations thereof.